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Lucky Daye Introduces HERicane Video

Watch Lucky Daye perform the D'Mile-produced "HERicane" in front of the green screen with a storm moving in the background. He describes it as "A love surrounded by chaos yet remains grounded in the center." "HERicane" is the second single from his forthcoming third studio album. "That's You" arrived last year and had an interesting video. 

#lucky daye #r and b music #r and b #Youtube

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The New York African Film Festival Returns For 31st Year

Film at Lincoln Center and African Film Festival have announced the lineup for the 31st New York African Film Festival. The festival's mission is to feature filmmakers from the African diaspora. This year's theme is the Convergence Of Time and it explores the intersection of historical and contemporary roles played by individuals representing Africa and its diaspora in art. More than 50 films from more than 25 countries invite the audience to look at the meeting of past and current experimentalism transcending space and time. 

The festival's opening night showcases the North American premiere of Over The Bridge, Tolu Ajayi’s feature about corruption in Lagos as Folarin, a successful investment banker whose company is contracted by the government to oversee a high-profile project, searches for answers when the project goes awry, which leads him to a remote fishing village to put the pieces of the mystery together.

The Closing Night selection features the New York premiere of Dibakar Das Roy’s riveting and uproarious Dilli Dark, which shows the boundaries Nigerian MBA candidate Michael Okeke will push to succeed as he lives a double life as a student and drug dealer amidst the backdrop of India’s history of colonialism, racism, and xenophobia.

The festival will also host the North American premieres of Matthew Leutwyler’s Fight Like a Girl, depicting the true story of a young Congolese woman (Ama Qamata from the hit Netflix series Blood and Water) who finds liberation after joining an all-women’s boxing club in Goma, led by an ex-child-soldier coach; and Oyiza Adaba’s biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, which delves into the life of El Anatsui, the world-renowned sculptor from Ghana, and triumphantly acknowledges the importance of Africa’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

Three festival features are U.S. premieres: Yajaira De La Espada’s documentary Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense, showcasing the life and empowering legacy of the founding father of Tanzania, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, and the recent presidency of Dr. John Pombe Magufuli; Clive Will’s Time Spent with Cats Is Never Wasted, a stark piece of slow-burning cinema featuring a small-town worker who finds success after selling a helicopter he made out of scrap and found objects, while having to fight off the local townsfolk who insist on a cut of the profits; and Perivi Katjavivi’s Under the Hanging Tree, a hard-boiled crime thriller following police officer Christina, as she seeks to uncover details of a murder on a German-owned farm in present-day Namibia, set against echoes of the country’s history of genocide.

Five features making their New York debut are: Damien Hauser’s After the Long Rains, a touching account of 10-year-old Aisha, who longs to become a fisher so she can travel to Europe, and befriends an alcoholic fisherman who promises to teach her; Uche Aguh’s musical romance Dynamite, which finds musician Kiki in an unhappy marriage with her husband/manager and beginning a whirlwind romance with a replacement bassist in her band; Osvalde Lewat’s documentary MK: Mandela’s Secret Army, the little-known story of the military avant-garde founded by global icon Nelson Mandela, screening for the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom Day; This Is Lagos, Kenneth Gyang’s dark comedy featuring aspiring rapper Stevo navigating the dangers of his criminal past after an escape from a heist goes wrong; and The Rhythm and the Blues, the true-life story of legendary bluesman Eddie Taylor and his fight against obscurity, industry corruption, and cultural appropriation, starring actor and musician Leon.

An exciting addition to this year’s festival is La Chapelle, Jean-Michel Tchissoukou’s surreal take on the relationship between Africa, Christianity, and colonialism. A classic feature shot in 1980s Congo, this enchantingly bizarre and bitingly funny satire leaves one questioning the relevance of space and time. 

Among many shorts premiering at NYAFF, not to be missed is Harold George’s Making Men. In a first for NYAFF, the screening of George’s film will be accompanied by a live dance performance from George and members of his dance troupe, as well as a discussion afterwards. A brilliant question of masculinity, visually probed via imagery of traditional customs, the film supplies modern questions with ancestral answers. Another, Love Taps, directed by Derrick Woodyard and executive produced by Spike Lee, offers another comment on masculinity, secrets, and family ties.

NYAFF will present an “Art & Activism” Town Hall at The Africa Center on Thursday, May 2, at 6:00pm, featuring artists Christian Nyampeta, Adama Delphine Fawundu, and Taiwo Aloba, moderated by cultural anthropologist, curator, and scholar Paulette Young.

This year’s Master Class presented by AFF will feature veteran independent filmmaker Ngozi Onwurah, who will discuss the craft of utilizing cinema as a tool for unmasking the dynamics of the socioeconomic status quo. The event takes place in the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center with tickets available through africanfilmny.org.

“A litany for past suns labeled rituals / A star lit any and all possible futures,” a digital art exhibit of the work of Zainab Aliyu, will run in the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center May 9–14 beginning 30 minutes before the first NYAFF screening of the day. The exhibit is inspired by Nikki Giovanni’s “A Litany for Peppe” (1970) and Audre Lorde’s “A Litany for Survival” (1978), two poems written years apart, yet converging thematically through time. As the title suggests, the piece is structured as a litany, a repetitive and rhythmic form often used in ceremonial settings. In this context, Aliyu’s litany serves as a call to action for her communities to alchemize their shared histories toward shared futures.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 11 at noon ET. Ticket prices are $17 for the general public; $14 for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities; and $12 for FLC Members. See more and save with a 3+ Film Package ($15 for general public; $12 for students, seniors (62+), and persons with disabilities; and $10 for FLC Members), the $99 All-Access Pass, or the $79 Student All-Access Pass. Contact [email protected] for information about attending the Opening Night Party.

The festival continues at Maysles Documentary Center in Harlem from April 17 to 19 and culminates at Brooklyn Academy of Music under the name Film Africa from May 24 to May 30 during Dance Africa.

The programs of AFF are made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Community Trust, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Bradley Family Foundation, Domenico Paulon Foundation, NYC & Company, French Cultural Services, Manhattan Portage, Black Hawk Imports, Essentia Water, South African Consulate General, National Film and Video Foundation, and Motion Picture Enterprises.

For more information, visit filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on X and Instagram.

More information about AFF can be found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org. You can follow AFF at @africanfilmfest on X and Instagram.

#new york african film festival

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Alex Harris Emerges With Back To Us Debut Album

Alex Harris comes through with his debut album Back To Us via the Shanachie imprint. Harris' molten soul reflects his gospel conviction as the son of a pastor, country music, and Stax Records. At times his baritone projects a lot like the late soul star Johnnie Taylor who was a Stax artist for most of his career. "I've Got Dreams To Remember" and "Lose My Religion" have some of Taylor's verve. The comparisons don't stop there because he pulls from Al Green's tone when he sings "Way Up." "Millionaire" should benefit from Beyoncé's reclamation of country music's Black origins. Ruby Amanfu, Monofonics, and Sam Ashworth join Harris on the album that was recorded in Nashville. Harris has tapped into the city's music history and neighboring Memphis to produce a pure but contemporary tribute to the sounds pioneered there in the '60s and '70s. Back To Us is trend-free and firmly rooted in its celebration of Americana R&B. 

#alex harris #soul music #r and b music #Spotify

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Throwback: Samantha Fox-I Wanna Have Some Fun

"I Wanna Have Some Fun" is the title track from English singer Samantha Fox's third album. Full Force wrote and produced the song with house, freestyle, and pop in its DNA. The New York City-based production team was also in the video played heavily on MTV. The simple message, the dance-oriented beats, and Fox's relatable vocals made "I Wanna Have Some Fun" an infectious pop treat. Full Force had worked with Fox previously on "Naughty Girls Need Love Too" which charted even higher than "I Wanna Have Some Fun." They were having a good time in the '80s producing hits for Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, UTFO, James Brown, and many other artists. Their repeat chemistry with Fox created another one of the most lasting songs from the decade. The album was re-released in 2009 with bonus tracks and a deluxe edition came out in 2012. Fox toured the United States in 2023 and appeared on Celebrity MasterChef. 

#samantha fox #full force #the 80s #pop #Youtube

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Media Questions Of The Week

Will rap artists start to improve the way they do concerts to make up for the lack of administration Chuck D says is hurting the genre? 

How did the LA Times make the mistake of using Trump's name instead of O.J. Simpson's in their obituary for Simpson?

#public enemy #hip hop #rock and roll #o.j. simpson #la times

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NxWorries Share Album Art & Tracklisting For Why Lawd?

NxWorries (anderson.paak and Knxwledge) unveil the artwork and tracklisting for their sophomore album Why Lawd? The duo's first album was the two of them but this time they have company from Snoop Dogg, October London, Thundercat, Earl Sweatshirt and more. Why Lawd? can be pre-ordered in standard and colored vinyl. There is a 2LP audiophile edition and a 2LP with a different cover by Rhymezlikedimez. A limited cassette and CD will also be available. The digital version will be released a week later. Why Lawd? comes out June 7th.

  Why Lawd? Tracklisting 

1. ThankU feat. Dave Chappelle

2. 86Sentra

3. MoveOn

4. KeepHer feat. Thundercat

5. Distractions

6. Lookin’

7. Where I Go feat. H.E.R.

8. Daydreaming

9. FromHere feat. Snoop Dogg & October London

10. FallThru

11. Battlefield

12. HereIAm

13. OutTheWay feat. Rae Khalil

14. SheUsed

15. MoreOfIt

16. NVR.RMX

17. DistantSpace

18. WalkOnBy feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Rae Khalil

19. EvnMore

#anderson .paak #knxwledge #nxworries

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R.I.P. Mister Cee

Legendary New York hip-hop DJ Mister Cee has died at age 57.  New York radio station Hot 97 announced his passing but no cause of death was listed. Mister Cee also known as The Finisher was a key person during hip-hop's Golden Era. As a native of Brooklyn, New York he started his career in high school when he learned how to DJ from Knight and the Knights of Hollywood crew. He also met Big Daddy Kane at this time.  Kane's 1988 debut album, Long Live The Kane featured the young DJ on "Mister Cee's Master Plan" and he was the rapper's official DJ. In the '90s he became a radio DJ with hip-hop shows on Hot 97 and WBLS. He helped The Notorious B.I.G. re-record the demo that got him signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records. B.I.G.'s Ready To Die debut listed Mister Cee as an associate executive producer. Mister Cee worked with 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Roxanne Shante, Masta Ace, MC Shan, and more.

He was an institution at Hot 97 working there for years until he resigned in 2013 after being arrested for soliciting sex from transgender prostitutes. His Throwback At Noon show was one of the most popular to ever air on the station. In an interview with Ebro Darden, he admitted to the truthfulness of the charges and was the first voice in hip-hop to openly embrace bisexuality. A brief return to Hot 97 in 2014 ended when he no longer cared for the musical direction of the station. Fans could hear his mixes online, at 94.7, and on the Sirius XM station Rock The Bells. The video game Grand Theft Auto IV had a character based on Mister Cee on radio station 102.7. The Beat. 

#mister cee #hip hop #Youtube

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Listen: Rico Nasty & Boys Noize HVRDCORE DR3AMZ EP

Rico Nasty's HARDCORE DR3AMZ EP with Boys Noize is heart-rate-raising club music. They previously released the techno single "Arintintin" and the video. Nasty's usual lyrical fury is tossed in exchange for a popish delivery and steady upbeat energy. The rapper and German-Iraqi producer have successfully taken their chemistry into EDM territory. "Vvgina" featuring Locked Club is the hyperactive grandchild of Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer's "I Feel Love." "H.O.T." is warmer than the other songs and has Miami Bass music in its DNA. She explained the intent behind "H.O.T." in a statement.

“We made ‘H.O.T.’ for our fans to enjoy during the summertime, riding around with the top down.  Let the haters know something and give the lurkers a show! Making this was so refreshing and reminded me that everything doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.”

Stream HARDCORE DR3AMZ and check out the visualizer for "H.O.T." 

#rico nasty #boys noize #Youtube

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Mahogany Jones Is Back With Go

Mahogany Jones is back with her latest single "Go." Jones raps with the pace of a runner winning a personal race. The classic house production is made for dancing and Jones has the lyrical authority of the coolest motivational speaker. Monica Blaire adds a layer of soul to the first Ma$terpeace remixes. Crown and Chelsea Reject are featured on the second Ma$terpeace Remix and compliment Jones with additional quick verses. "Go" is made for the party, workout room, and anytime doubt ends up in the equation. It was two years ago when Jones released the palpable Better. "Go" is a delightful return from the Detroit emcee. 

#mahogany jones #monica blaire #hip hop

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Missy Elliott Going On Arena Tour

Missy Elliott is going on her first-ever headlining tour with Busta Rhymes, Ciara, and Timbaland. The rap legend announced the tour on social media today. All of them have worked together in the past. The Out Of This World Tour will travel through more than 20 cities in North America. Missy and Busta Rhymes are known for their colorful high-tech videos and fans are already excited about what their stage sets will entail. She stated that she was thrilled about making a few firsts including the tour and being the first woman rapper inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tickets will go on sale Thursday at 10 AM local time.

Out Of This World Tour Dates

Thursday, July 4 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena

Saturday, July 6 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena

Tuesday, July 9 — Oakland, CA — Oakland Arena

Thursday, July 11 — Los Angeles, CA — Crypto.com Arena

Saturday, July 13 — Las Vegas, NV — T-Mobile Arena

Tuesday, July 16 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena

Thursday, July 18 — Austin, TX — Moody Center

Saturday, July 20 — Houston, TX — Toyota Center

Sunday, July 21 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena

Wednesday, July 24 — Tampa, FL — Amalie Arena

Thursday, July 25 — Sunrise, FL — Amerant Bank Arena

Saturday, July 27 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena

Thursday, August 1 — Baltimore, MD — CFG Bank Arena

Friday, August 2 — Hampton, VA — Hampton Coliseum

Saturday, August 3 — Belmont Park, NY — UBS Arena

Monday, August 5 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center

Thursday, August 8 — Washington, DC — Capital One Arena

Friday, August 9 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center

Saturday, August 10 — Boston, MA — TD Garden

Monday, August 12 — Brooklyn, NY — Barclays Center

Thursday, August 15 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena

Saturday, August 17 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre

Monday, August 19 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena

Thursday, August 22 — Rosemont, IL — Allstate Arena

#missy elliott #busta rhymes #ciara #timbaland #live music #tour

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Throwback: Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit

Billie Holiday recorded "Strange Fruit" in 1939 and performed it at New York's first integrated nightclub, Café Society. Abel Meeropol wrote "Strange Fruit" as a poem in 1937 under the name Lewis Allan in response to a photograph taken by Lawrence Beitler of African-American boys J. Thomas Shipp and Abraham S. Smith hanging from trees on August 7, 1930, in Marion, Indiana. Holiday was signed to Columbia Records and they would not let her record "Strange Fruit" for fear of a southern backlash. Holiday's friend, Milt Gabler, the owner of Commodore Records, agreed to release it on his label so Columbia gave Holiday a one-session release. She re-recorded the song in 1944 but the 1939 recording sold one million copies and became her best-selling single. Holiday was initially concerned about retaliation for recording "Strange Fruit" but she did it anyway because it reminded her of the life-saving medical treatment her father was denied because of racism.  The poetic description of Black bodies, blood, and trees was haunting and her performance of it made audiences stand still. When she sang it at Café Society the lights were dimmed and you could only see her face. At the end of the performance, the audience looked up and she was gone before the stage lights were restored. Holiday's unique way of phrasing and improvisation is one of the reasons why her version of "Strange Fruit" is still the most popular after decades of new covers. 

"Strange Fruit" has been called the "song of the century" and  "the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement." Emmett Till's lynching has always been credited as the real start of the movement but "Strange Fruit"'s release two years before his birth was the most egregious artistic statement about Jim Crow America. 

Holiday died in 1959 after a tumultuous career as a jazz and pop vocalist innovator. Diana Ross received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Holiday in the 1972 film Lady Sings The Blues. Andra Day starred as the singer in Lee Daniels' 2021 film The United States vs. Billie Holiday. 

#billie holiday #jazz #commodore records #milt gabler #abel meeropol #Youtube

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Media Questions Of The Week

Why is TufAmerica, Inc. suing Universal Music Group for the sample of The Honey Drippers' "Impeach The President" in Mary J. Blige's 1992 song "Real Love" 32 years later? 

#mary j. blige #the honey drippers #audio two #universal music group #tufamerica inc. #hip hop soul #Youtube

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Clarence James Owns Up To His Introversion On New Single Flake

Clarence James gets ready for his next album with the release of the single "Flake." The Texas singer-songwriter gets vulnerable about his social anxiety and apologizes to loved ones about his inconsistent communication. James' country and rock influences can sound almost psychedelic at times. Vocally, he sings some parts of "Flake" with gloom, then shouts, and the music becomes manic. As a guitar player, his fingers pluck the strings into twangy and jazzy head-nodding moments. He summarized "Flake" in a press release:

“I feel like the sentiment of the song is a popular one among my fellow neurotics. I've been struggling to navigate the mental systems that are keeping me from staying in touch with my loved ones. Personally and societally, strong community units are somewhat of a commodity. I personally tend to dwell on it and form bad habits centered around anxiety. These habits far too often lead to self destruction, and it’s important to understand the positive significance of relying on people.”

James gained his internet following six years ago when he released the indie rock single "Ronson Princess" which acquired more than five million streams.  His debut album, Fucked Me Up came along in 2020. "Flake" will be on his forthcoming sophomore album, WHY WOULD I MAKE PEACE WITH THIS DEMON? 

#clarence james #indie rock music #rock #Youtube

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Frankie Knuckles' Record Collection Has Been Digitized

House music pioneer Frankie Knuckles' collection of 5,000 vinyl albums has been digitized. The job was completed on the 10th anniversary of his passing by members of the Theaster Gates Rebuild Foundation. Knuckles made house music a cultural force as the DJ at Chicago's Warehouse Club and then the Power Plant during the '70s and '80s. He was also responsible for remixing songs under Def Mix Productions with David Morales including "Change" by Lisa Stansfield. In 1991, his first album, Beyond The Mix came out and contained his signature tune "The Whistle Song." He won the Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year Non-Classical in 1998 before the award was given for a specific work. Frederick Dunson, the founder, president, and executive director of the Frankie Knuckles Foundation said, “Frankie was not just a maestro on the dance floor; he was a guiding force, infusing his artistry with purpose and connection. Today, we honor his lasting influence and express our deepest respect for the unforgettable mark he left on Chicago and the world.”

Knuckles's record collection will be used to educate the public about house music and for the Sunday Service dance parties at the Stony Island Arts Bank which Gates' Rebuild Foundation restored. 

#frankie knuckles #house music #theaster gates #Instagram

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NxWorries (anderson.paak & Knxwledge) Reveal 86Sentra Single & Announce Why Lawd? Album

NxWorries has a new album on the way titled Why Lawd? and "86 Sentra" is the first single to emerge from their new project. It was eight years ago when they released Yes Lawd! Anderson.Paak's solo career took off and he released the Silk Sonic album with Bruno Mars and he performed at the Super Bowl with Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar. "86 Sentra" is a straight brag and the cartoon visual by Rhymezlikedimez has Paak looking like a pimp. Why Lawd? will also have previous singles, "Daydreaming" and "Where I Go" featuring H.E.R. Anderson.Paak and Knxwledge's NxWorries' album Why Lawd? comes out on June 7th. 

#nxworries #anderson .paak #knxwledge #Youtube

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The Big Cigar Series About Black Panther Huey P. Newton To Air On AppleTV+

The Big Cigar is a limited drama series on AppleTV+ about Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton's escape to Cuba. The story is based on an article Joshuah Bearman who is also the executive producer wrote about Newton for Playboy Magazine. In 1974, Newton was accused of shooting a 17-year-old prostitute and pistol-whipping his tailor and he fled to Cuba with Schneider's help. Schneider was a famous name in Hollywood during the '60s because the production company co-founded with Bob Rafaelson produced The Monkees TV show and the very successful 1969 counterculture film Easy Rider. According to Bearman's article, Schneider wrote The Cigar to help with Newton's escape but never filmed it. 

André Holland stars as Newton in the series that premieres on May 17th and will stream every Friday until June 14th. The ensemble cast includes Glynn Turman, Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, P. J. Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi and Jordane Christie. Actor, producer, and director Don Cheadle will direct and executive produce the first two episodes. 

#the big cigar #huey p. newton #the black panthers #apple tv+

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Nas Posts Video For Sitting With My Thoughts

Nas released the video for "Sitting With My Thoughts" from Magic 3 that came out on his 50th birthday (September 14th) last year. The video is a career retrospective with footage from his show in Las Vegas with the Wu-Tang Clan. He recently shared the video for "I Love This Feeling." Nas is on tour this summer.

#nas #hip hop #mass appeal #Youtube